Instructor

Gail Smith Valente, LMT

"Gail is a 2001 graduate of the Onondaga School of Therapeutic Masage in Rochester, NY. After working in the massage therapy industry, she opened Retreat House Massage & Wellness Center in 2005 which currently employs 11 massage therapists and 1 esthetician. In 2005 her longtime interest in Foot Reflexology took her to Kripalu. There she studied a dynamic program of Foot Reflexology under Eileen Donovan, a long time Kripalu instructor and Healing Arts employee. In 2006, her love of this work found her as Eileen's teaching assistant at Kripalu twice yearly until Eileen reloacted in 2010.

Aromatherapy has always been a passion for Gail and she wanted to be sure she was providing safe and appropriate use of essential oils for her clients. She began studing at Aromahead Institute in 2011 and completed the Aromahead Teacher Training Program in 2012. Gail has delivered this workshop to her co-workers so they too can practice safely, has presented her Aromatherapy Program at the Integrative Oncology Lecture Series at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, at Gilda\'s Club and is passionate about bringing her love of essential oils to massage therapists across NYS! Gail really enjoys bringing Aromatherapy to the Swedish Institute. She has found dedicated, enthusiastic students that add joy to her passion of sharing the healing power of essential oils.

In 2013 she rode an elephant in the backwaters of Kerala, India during a two week yoga retreat and journey. She also gained the new title of grandma in March 2013!
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